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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has quietly scaled down India’s war readiness from 40 days to 10 days of the intense conflict in a new policy cleared on December 30 on the basis of the assumption that the future conflicts would be short, swift and sudden. The new policy envisages all three armed forces to fully stock up weapons, ammunition and missiles and ensure all radars functional that should last a minimum of 10 days of intense conflict.

In military parlance, this is called Minimum Accepted Risk Level (MARL). The Vice-Chiefs of the three services have been given adequate fiscal powers to maintain this level of preparedness to overcome the handicap of the slow procurements as the government does not want any chance for the military failing for want of any supplies. The Indian Army’s Vice-Chief has been given the authority under this policy to spend up to Rs 200 cr for ammunition procurement, in consultation with the internal financial auditor. The Naval Vice-Chief is authorised expenses up to Rs 80 crore to repair ships and submarines

. The Defence Ministry sources said the new policy was drawn up in consultation with the Armed Forces following a CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) report in 2015, expressing shock over the low level of the war readiness. The CAG had slammed the dismal management of ammunition in the Army, noting that there was total “disregard” of the policy to hold ammunition for 40 days of “intense” fighting under the war wastage reserves (WWR). It warned that India cannot sustain war beyond 15-20 days due to the crippling shortages in its ammunition stocks. Stocking of 125 of the 170 different types of ammunition was not enough for even 20 days of war-fighting or “minimum acceptable risk level” requirements. “Further, in 50% of the types of ammunition, the holding was critical or less than 10 days in March 2013,” said CAG. As the situation stands today, the required 40-day WWR may not be possible even by the target of achieving it in 2019. The officials justified scaling down of the stocks to stand 10 days of intense war. They said the WWR of 40 days of intense war is very expensive to maintain, particularly since the ammunition being an expendable commodity with a fixed shelf life. Instead of maintaining stocks at a full-fledged war requirement level, it was felt that better should be to maintain “optimal” stocks as per the security contingencies and create capacity to ramp up production whenever needed. It was explained that the new policy does not mean reducing the higher stock levels of most of the ammunitions. Officials said the target of 40 days of WWR has not been shelved. It shall be on track as usual but within that the 10-day benchmarking will be the new norm. The 2015 CAG report said India lacked readiness for any war because the Ordnance Factory Board was failing to meet the requirements due to its limited production capacity while the import route was also proving to be “unreasonably” slow. “In 17 import cases (total imports worth Rs 16,594 crore) for which acceptance of necessity was accorded in July 2013, no contract could be concluded by December 2014,” it said.

Hope this is the right thread. Excellent insights into what is happening with the defense budget

In India’s ‘Make Or Break’ Budget, Defense May Take a Back Seat

"Since 2009, India’s total defense spending has only increased by about $3 billion, in constant 2014 dollars, while China increased its defense spending by about $77 billion over the same period, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. "https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/arti ... -back-seat

Skirting the Rules Leaves India’s Defense Industry Short-Changed

"Still, with some foreign companies opting to pay a fine, the current policy is a “sorry state of affairs,” according to Kuber.

"The global companies have been finding ways of not doing offset, and the Ministry of Defence has not been engaging with them in a more proactive manner,” he said. “Indian industry has also been slow to gear up to the global standards in quality and processes and certifications."

""Of the approximately $5 billion offset obligations, only about $2 billion have been accounted for by the global companies," said K. V. Kuber, an independent analyst and former army colonel who served in the section of the ministry that monitored the offset policy. "Of these, only about $250 million worth of offsets has been approved by the Ministry of Defence as implemented."

“Even the direct buys are in the form of nuts and bolts,” he said. “Hence, no industrial capability as such is being developed."

I like it how ADGPI IA has been proactively uploading such short films on YouTube to raise awareness among the youth. Interestingly this film got some help from Hakla Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment.

BSF soldier Yadav's VRS canceled as per rules: Kiren RijijuNew Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday clarified that the Border Security Force’s (BSF) decision to cancel the voluntary retirement of constable Tej Bahadur Yadav who had posted a video raising concerns about the ‘poor quality’ food, “was done as per the rules and regulations”.

“The Centre has the priority to take care of the needs of the armed forces. We have already asked the authorities to redress the grievances of army personnel. There is a way to put forth one’s problem. And if anyone by-passes that, there is a proper mechanism to counter,” Rijiju told ANI.

“His VRS was canceled as per the rules and regulations since the whole allegations are currently being probed,” he added. The minister’s comment comes in the wake of an allegation leveled by Yadav’s wife that the trooper is being ‘threatened and tortured mentally’.

The BSF soldier’s application for voluntary retirement was accepted last year after he posted a video in January which went viral on social media. Following this, the BSF and the Home Ministry ordered an enquiry.

The news item above about India's war readiness being reduced to only 10 days is presented in a mischievous manner.

I read the same news somewhere else and the plan seems to be to first ensure we have enough across the board for 10-days of intense combat. Also, the 40 day reserve is being looked at rationally from the way ammunition is consumed in current scenario as well the cost aspect. It is quite likely that holding of some ammunition in this 10-days scenario may well be multiple times of earlier estimates when we assume higher tempo of war fighting.

The soldier wears face paint to blend with the surroundings. While most foreign army pics will have green face paint to go with green camouflage uniforms, Indian soldiers usually have black paint. Why is this better?

What is the point of wearing face paint to blend in, when inches away from the face, he wears the distinctive shoulder patch that screams for attention

The soldier wears face paint to blend with the surroundings. While most foreign army pics will have green face paint to go with green camouflage uniforms, Indian soldiers usually have black paint. Why is this better?

What is the point of wearing face paint to blend in, when inches away from the face, he wears the distinctive shoulder patch that screams for attention

Green or Black doesn't matter as much as breaking a single colored surface. Those patches are too small to matter (IMHO) at the ranges when this gun is called into service.

AdityaM wrote:What is the point of wearing face paint to blend in, when inches away from the face, he wears the distinctive shoulder patch that screams for attention

It's a posed photo-op which looks as artificial as any. Neatly ironed shirt, crease intact and sleeve folded back as per regulation. Leaves ripped off a Gul Mohar like tree and placed in front of the man..

More priceless lives of our soldiers lost in J&K after another terror attack. I don't want to b*tch too much,but where is Mr.Modi and his vainglorious boasts that after demonitisation he "defeated terrorism" and that fake currency from Pak had ended? There was a recent seizure of such fake notes from across the border. He has to pu his money where his mouth is,otherwise he will be nothing more than yet another Congi type leader who vows to give Pak "a fitting reply".

The IA have to hit back hard across the border in arty barrages,more spl. forces actions and even joint IAF/IA ops. Pak only understands when its soldiers get clobbered by India.

^^^He must have kept quiet like any kANGREESI and you must not have made this comment. ) For two months there was not a single Paki fake currency and money to stone throwers itself is progress. Now if you really want fake currency completely out, ban the currency, will you support it or come up with demonitization is bad bad blah blah..? ) Man..continue with your pro-Russian things and stop adding more masala to it.

And yes Pakistan has to be ended and even when within our nation, pro-Pakis ask for proofs of the raids, how can you be so sure that these disruptive forces will not do damage to the population in support of Pak? Also now whom will you blame for the present situation? Again the govt or the Anti-India ones within the nation?

And with what you will hit? Stones? Artillery barrage..where are the guns? Only now it's getting inducted. Will take time to build up. Have patience. When time comes, things will happen.

General Jagbir Singh Cheema recently took over as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems and Training). In this capacity he coordinates capability building of the army in terms of training, communications and information systems. Earlier he had commanded XI Corps the pivot formation in Punjab where he had a long string of achievements including recasting operational plans and providing enhanced facilities to veterans. The general belongs to Jangpur, Ludhiana district.Jagbir has commanded his battalion, 10 Sikh on the Line of Control (LoC), an infantry brigade again on the control line in a high altitude environment and a mountain division forming part of the army headquarters (AHQ) reserve with wideranging operational roles. Professional courses done by him include staff college, long defence management and National Defence College (NDC).He has served on the general staff dealing with operations, planning, intelligence and training at all levels from brigade to AHQ. As chief of staff of an operationally committed corps, he set down ‘Turbulence to Stabilisation’ the history of proxy war in Kashmir. Operational experience includes command of a company on the Siachen Glacier and an Assam Rifles company in Kashmir. Cheema is a soldier whom the greatest Indian commanders like Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and Harbaksh would’ve paid the supreme accolade, ‘I would like to have him with me in war’.Army chief General Bipin Rawat’s recent caution to stone-pelters and others who seek to obstruct counterinsurgency operations must be seen in this context. Though politicians have taken umbrage at his statement, in my view he has correctly warned overground workers of insurgents.A new, proactive strategy to tackle troublemakers which draws on the experience of British troops in Northern Ireland takes this beyond the ambit of a mere morale-lifting exercise however.To ensure the best coordination between the security forces, joint mobile control rooms will be set up at the scene of active operations. While the army, paramilitary forces and the police’s special operation group will tackle terrorists, the police will make sure crowds don’t gather.If mobs do concentrate the police will disperse them with warnings, persuasion, guile and failing that with weapons best suited against unarmed people – teargas, batons. Civil administrators will become hands-on to prevent the assembly of terrorists’ collaborators by imposing prohibitory orders and other administrative measures. Such collaborators will be identified by the police who will take legal action against them.

Press Information Bureau Government of IndiaMinistry of Defence02-March-2017 18:13 ISTDRDO Hands Over its Developed Products to Indian Army

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over three of its products for induction into the Indian Army in a formal function here today. The products are namely (i) Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), SWATHI, (ii) NBC Recce vehicle and (iii) NBC Drugs.

The Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar who presided the function handed over the products to the Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on behalf of DRDO.

Addressing the function the Defence Minister congratulated DRDO for the series of recent trials including the interceptor missiles. He complimented DRDO scientists for handing over equipment to the Indian Army. Shri Parrikar said that DRDO, Defence Forces, PSU’s and Private Sector industry’s partnership can be a game changer in the near future.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat after receiving the products complimented the DRDO for achieving another milestone in their continuing success stories. He was optimistic that at this speed, modernisation of Indian Army would move at a much faster pace.

Speaking at the function the DRDO Chairman and Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) Dr. S Christopher said “after Navy and Air Force, time has now come to handover our products to the Army and it is a proud moment for all scientists in DRDO”. He stressed that the co-development approach of involving DRDO, user and the industry would speed up projects.

DRDO has been developing a number of products for the Indian Army in support of their field operations and welfare of soldiers on ground. Many of these products have been inducted and are presently operational in field units. In 2016, the Weapon Locating Radar, NBC Recce Vehicle and a set of NBC Drugs had been successfully tested after extensive evaluation by competent evaluation teams/bodies.

Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), SWATHI, developed by DRDO’s Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), provides fast, automatic and accurate location of all enemy weapons like mortars, shells and rockets firing within in its effective zone of coverage and simultaneously handles multiples projectiles fired from different weapons at different locations. The system is capable of adjusting the fire of our own artillery weapon also. The weapon includes 81mm or higher calibre mortars, 105mm or higher calibre shells and 120mm or higher calibre free flying rockets. Thus WLR has two roles to perform i.e. Weapon Location Mode for enemy Artillery and Direction of Own artillery Fire (DOOAF) Mode for our own Artillery.

The NBC Recce Vehicle Mk-I, is developed by Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) for carrying out post event recce of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Contaminated areas. It is capable of collecting solid and liquid samples of biologically contaminated areas, mark the nuclear and chemical contamination zone and transfer the recce data speedily to support formations. On successful development of NBC RV Mk-I in association with DL, Jodhpur, the equipment was approved for induction into the Services.

DRDO’s INMAS is actively engaged in research in the field of radio protectors, de-corporating agents and antidotes for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies, combat casualty care and other life saving drugs. INMAS has carried out extensive research and laboratory trials in the past two decades to develop formulations for use as antidotes and de-corporating agents for CBRN emergencies. Out of the several formulas developed by INMAS, 15 drugs have been identified for induction.

Twelve Weapon Locating Radars (WLR) were contracted with the US Government in 2002. Delivery of these WLRs will commence from September,2004. In addition,two WLRs were also contracted on lease basis and these two WLRs have already arrived in the country. Steps have also been taken to produce WLRs indigenously. A Letter of Intent for procurement of 28 WLRs and development of one prototype WLR by April, 2004 was placed on MIs. Bharat Electronics Ltd in January 2003.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Surendra Lath in Rajya Sabha today.

The presstitutes involved said to have edited the good part and cherry picked bad words and made a story as per some reports. But now the entire story is a negative one on IA. Almost all the MSM entities are doing that same song and dance.

^^^The advent of WSI-Dhruv and LCH will allow the above proposition to take place.

Apaches will be with the Strike Corps. But here again, considering we have only 10-12 units per helicopter squadron (as compared to 24 per regiment in US Army), the numbers cannot do justice to whole Strike Corps. I expect Strike Corps to have additional LCH/WSI-Dhruv to ensure attack helicopter cover for the entire Corps.

For the Pivot Corps, combination of LCH and WSI-Dhruv will add tremendous capability where none exist so far. These attack helicopter assets will allow these Corps to deal with armor from PA side and also provide CAS to own troops.

Yagnasri wrote:The presstitutes involved said to have edited the good part and cherry picked bad words and made a story as per some reports. But now the entire story is a negative one on IA. Almost all the MSM entities are doing that same song and dance.

high time that a PIL was filed, taking to immediate task, such "presstitute reporters" for aiding and abetting suicide.